“She also has the tendency to submit herself to the wishes of others in order to maintain their affection.”

 

She stares guiltily at the picture he sent her, then at the tea cups in front of her before motioning at a passing waiter to clear up the opposite side of the table. When it’s done, she takes a picture of the one remaining cup and sends it to him.

 

She doesn’t know why she feels the need to lie. He doesn’t deserve it, and God knows she doesn’t want him and her to be built on lies.  

 

Because she’s doing something he doesn’t want her to do?

 

Because he’ll get angry and she doesn’t want him to get angry?

 

Because she’s afraid that he’ll get exasperated and leave again?

 

(But he came back. The one time he left, he came back.)

 

She just wishes she could trust him, the way she knows she should –

 

- and that she could trust herself.